...and folks, I cannot stress this enough! If you are in the teaching field because of the "job's" great benefits, 3 months off, and easy hours, PLEASE TURN IN YOUR RESIGNATION AT ONCE. I'm sure your school can and will gladly replace you. Teaching is not a job -- It is a career. Yes, I know, this is a trite, oft-repeated little phrase that may not have any meaning to you. But believe me, as a middle school teacher, it is absolutely, positively true. I am not going to go off on a discussion of the "benefits, 3 months off, easy hours" myth because it has been done many, many times before. But people, if you don't love kids and if you aren't willing to just deal with parents, administrators and kids with no respect for adults, then move on to another job.

As for No Child Left Behind... aka No Teacher Left Standing, well, it needs to have a major overhaul. Each state makes it's own rules? Well, let's see, why don't we dumb things down and make it easy? Who cares if we screw over the states that truly make it challening? I won't rant on this, either, but look up the studies comparing the states -- it is sad.

Unions? Thank GOODNESS Missouri does not have them, per se. Yes, we have the NEA (wish we didn't) and the MO State Teachers Association (MSTA - not a proponent of unions) but we do not have "get hired and keep your job forever." I was not tenured until the first day I showed up for my 6th year of teaching. Until that time, as a probationary teacher, you can be non-renewed for next year for no reason at all. The Board does not have to give you a reason, and often won't. "Personality conflict" is a popular one. However, once tenured, the Board can release you, they just have to show that you are not being successful. I think the idea of not being able to be released once you step foot into a classroom is just plain wrong. Face it, some people should not be teachers!

I'll forever be thankful that I made the choice to jump into teaching as an older adult (I was 36) and not fresh out of college because it would not have suited me at all. However, I do love the career I've selected -- I love what I do. I don't always love ALL of the parts of it, but take the good with the bad and deal. I see 120 7th & 8th graders every day, and I have the chance to make a difference, even if I just make them think. It takes a special kind of crazy to teach in the middle school and luckily I fit that description pretty darned well!